Friday, October 8, 2010

As dozens argued to keep Davidson IB Middle School open, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board chair said closing schools may be the best hope of saving teacher jobs next year.

"We all know what we've been through the past two years, and unfortunately, the next two are going to be tougher," board Chair Eric Davis told about 120 people who came to Hopewell High Thursday for a forum on school changes in 2011-12.

Most were supporters of Davidson, a high-performing International Baccalaureate magnet with only 250 students, in what officials call the district's most dilapidated building. Superintendent Peter Gorman has recommended closing that building, avoiding renovation costs and moving the magnet to Alexander Middle in Huntersville, a newer building with room to add magnet seats.

But parents and students argued that the move would sacrifice academic success, safety and community spirit.

"It's like trying to force two families into the same house," said Davidson seventh-grader Sophie Swallow.

Rhonda Lennon, the board member who represents the northern District 1, got tears in her eyes talking about how it seemed to her that Davidson families were unwilling to send their kids to school with poor black students, who make up a larger portion of enrollment at Alexander.

"I hurts me that they are talking about children like that," she said during a break between segments.

Moninda Eslick, an educator at Alexander, urged the Davidson families not to assume the worst about students there.

"We love our babies, and they're just as valued and just as worthy as theirs are," she said during the break.

Thursday's forum focused on a handful of northern schools. But about 15 parents, students and faculty from Waddell High in southwest Charlotte also turned out, wearing "Save Waddell" T-shirts. Their underfilled school is slated to close, with students dispersed to other high schools and the Smith Language Academy K-8 magnet taking over the building.

The Waddell boosters said they'll be at each of the six public forums this month, which let people weigh in on proposals to change about 70 of Charlotte-Mecklenburg's 170-plus schools. Those plans include 10 school closings, with many others seeing major shifts in programs or enrollment.

The board has been working since July to revamp student assignment in hopes of saving money and improving academics. Members plan to vote Nov. 9 on a list of 2011-12 changes that include closing three low-performing middle schools and moving the students to new K-8 schools.

About a dozen adults and a handful of children showed up to talk about a plan to turn Winding Springs Elementary into a neighborhood school, with students who now attend the global leadership magnet there being offered seats at Marie G. Davis Military/Leadership Academy. Davis, which now houses grades 6-12, would become CMS's first K-12 school.

Parents raised questions about the age mix, diversity and appropriateness of a military theme for young children.

Eric Davis told the crowd that looming cuts mean postponing action is not an option. Not only will millions in federal stimulus money disappear, he said, but the governor is warning school districts to prepare for a 5 percent to 15 percent cut. In CMS, that's $30 million to $90 million, which could mean another big round of teacher layoffs, he said.

Like many Charlotte-Mecklenburg residents, we have a lot of questions about a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools proposal that could close 12 schools next year and bring significant changes to dozens more. Some of the changes appear to be good; others seem loopy.

School officials have a lot more explaining to do to persuade the public that some of these moves are best for the students, the school system and this community.

We understand why changes are needed. The bleak economic picture - CMS anticipates a budget shortfall of at least $20 million next school year - has forced the schools to find ways to cut costs while boosting academic performance.

That's a tough undertaking, but not unique nationally. Local, state and federal money has shriveled. Many districts are closing schools to save money.

CMS closings won't produce enough savings to plug the shortfall, CMS superintendent Peter Gorman said this summer. But it would help. Gorman also said the moves are being discussed to make the system more efficient and to sustain and improve academic performance.

But it will be hard to sell some moves as a way to boost academics. Programs such as Villa Heights Elementary's gifted program and Davidson Middle's IB program are popular and successful in high student achievement. We understand the desire to move them to bigger buildings to give more kids an opportunity to attend. But it's a risky strategy, putting their success in jeopardy by eliminating some things that likely contribute to high achievement - small schools and classes that allow more personal attention to each student.

Other proposed changes potentially threaten the stability of surrounding neighborhoods. The presence of schools in fragile, high-poverty neighborhoods is often critical to maintaining the health of those neighborhoods. For example, a vacant school building could become a problem much like an abandoned big-box store. City and county governments should be at the table for conversations on closing or altering schools.

We hope school officials are providing presentations on these changes to the City Council and the Mecklenburg County commissioners. The issues being discussed - transportation, student assignment, facility use - affect the vitality and growth of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County just as city and county actions on housing, social services and transit affect the vitality of schools.

Some moves may improve performance. Converting some schools to K-8 could help smooth the bumpy transition to middle school that derails some students' academic progress. We're encouraged that CMS is considering bringing back year-round schools (a few operated during the 1990s) though we'd have to know more about the multi-track magnet planned for Myers Park Traditional. Year-round schools have proven to help students who need more consistent school time to retain what they've learned.

We have concerns about the K-12 move planned for Marie G. Davis Military/Leadership magnet. Having students as young as kindergarten age with high-schoolers seems imprudent.

Change is always difficult. School officials must provide compelling reasons why these moves will improve the schools. For many changes, we haven't heard them. But we're willing to listen.

TSA REFORM: "DON'T TOUCH MY JUNK NOR MY TREASURES!"

NC DSS SYSTEM CASUALTIES...CHILDREN DON'T MATTER

REAL CIVIL RIGHTS LEADERS; EQUALITY & JUSTICE FOR ALL!

POLITICAL WALL OF SHAME...PLEASE VOTE RESPONSIBLY

THE TRUE COST OF WAR

ABOUT ME

Welcome to the BLACK POLITICAL BUZZ Blog. (Established 2008)
My name is Laurel. (Author & Publisher)
I Blog with a focus on POLITICS, Business, and occasionally Entertainment.
FACTS ABOUT LAUREL:
Wife,
Mother of a U.S. Soldier,
Sister,
Woman of GOD,
Loyal Friend,
Creative,
Blood-related to a nationally known Charlotte Politician.
Black Female, Intelligent,
Married,
Love to Travel,
Credentialed by the RNC and DNC.
Political Blogger/ Commentator
Grassroots Activist,
PROFESSIONAL STATUS:
Credential Political Blogger/ Commentator,
Registered Independent Voter
Original Native of BROOKLYN, NY
Currently reside in CHARLOTTE, NC
I’m Nice but don’t get it twisted because my Mind is Sharp!

WEBSITE LEGAL DISCLAIMER

Since You’ve Chosen to Visit and Read the Contents of this Blog by Personal Choice, and of Your Own Free Will,

Please don’t ask me to Compensate you for Expressing individual commentary/ Posted Articles, which are protected by the First Amendment, citing Freedom of Speech & Freedom of Expression.

No Intentionally Malicious Slander, Libel or Defamation of Character content will be published and I will always Credit all Sources.

NOTE TO ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS, APPOINTED OFFICIALS & PUBLIC FIGURES:

Per the Landmark U.S. Supreme Court Case: 1964 case of New York Times v. Sullivan………

The Public has a Right to Criticize the People who Govern them, so the least Protection from Defamation is given to Public Officials. When officials are accused of something that involves their behavior in office, they have to prove all of the above elements of defamation and they must also prove that the defendant acted with “actual malice.” (For a definition of actual malice, see the “History of Defamation and the First Amendment, below.”)

People who aren’t Elected but who are Still Public Figures because they are influential or famous — like Actors, Actresses, Movie Stars, Singers & Entertainers, Journalists, TV Hosts, Bloggers, etc., — also have to Prove that Defamatory statements were made with Actual Malice, in most cases.

To the Associated Press and other Media Organizations:

When I use your Content Links., I’m also citing the Fair Use Doctrine (Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107) for further Copyright permission.

Posts and Links published on Black Political Buzz are not endorsed by Black Political Buzz Blog Author Laurel’s Employer, nor the Employers of other Black Political Buzz employees.

This includes Links, Posts and Comments posted on Black Political Buzz’s Facebook and Twitter account pages.

Comments, Links and Opinions of site visitors are Independently-Owned and not endorsed by Black Political Buzz employees, Blog Author Laurel or Laurel’s Employer.)

(No Personal Offense intended) Please know that Black Political Buzz is not responsible for nor do I endorse Requests for Donations from Third Parties on this Blog.

I will Only Endorse Requests for Donations made on behalf of BLACK POLITICAL BUZZ Blog for Business Purposes & Operating Expenses.

I will also Only Endorse Requests for Donations on behalf of Legitimate Politicians and Legitimate Political Candidates. PERIOD!!

If anyone else or another Organization wishes to post a link to Request Donations, I am NOT endorsing ANY of those Requests!

Unless I receive a personal Request to do so and I have Professionally Confirmed that the Third Party Organization or Charity is indeed a Legitimate Entity.

NOTE: Anyone who chooses to give to any Third Party Organization NOT Endorsed by BLACK POLITICAL BUZZ is doing so at his or her own risk.

BLACK POLITICAL BUZZ does NOT Discriminate against Politicians, Political Candidates, Organizations or Charities based on Race, Color, Nationality, Ethnicity, Gender, Sexual Orientation, Religion, Faith, Disability, Political Affiliation, Creed, Education, Social Status, Age.

This disclaimer applies to ANY and All requests for Donations on this Blog. Thanks for understanding. Again No Personal Offense intended.